1st Birthday Party in Chicago

After lots of baking and decorating, Jake's party was a success!  We were up by 7:00 this morning getting everything organized and ready to go for Jake's big day!  My punch turned out delicious, too!  It was great to see our friends, especially those who traveled to see us!  Jake is truly blessed.

Jake played with Emersyn most of the time.  He did sneak into the arms of Auntie Marylou quite a bit and climbed up to visit Jenny and Claire every now and then.  He ate some pizza and his cupcake time was priceless!  He was very social and super talkative!  He gave everyone lots of smiles. 

When it came to gift opening, he was more excited about the tissue paper than he was about the clothes that were inside.  I, on the other hand, was ecstatic over all the clothes and generous gifts!  Jake got, two pairs of jeans, two fleece outfits with dinosaurs, two pairs of PJs, two vests, lots of cute shirts, and a toy set of keys!  I can't wait for him to try on all his new stuff!

All our friends stayed from 1:00-5:30ish and took some cupcakes to go, since I made a little too many!  Enjoy all the videos and pictures!

Jake's cupcakes!  Made with pretzel rods, fruit roll ups, chocolate covered almonds, and lots of icing!

Jake showing Addy some love!

Playing with Emersyn

Jenny reading to Jake

Most of the gang

Getting kisses from Auntie Marylou

Cupcake time!

Birthday gifts!

He loved the paper!

Happy Birthday song!

Diggin' in!

Turn up volume for this one

Mohawk Boy!

Daddy watched Jake the other night while I went to Zumba class! (Loving it, btw)  When I came back, I was surprised to see my little man sporting a mohawk that Daddy gave him during bath time!  He look so funny and cute!  It's hard to believe that another haircut might be in the near future! 

Jake started a new thing the other day...rocking out.  He swings his head and arms, usually to music, but sometimes just out of the blue.  He loves it and I think it gets him dizzy.  He, also, tried taking some steps with Daddy.  He can stand for long periods of time, but as soon as he goes for the step, he falls over!  He's going to get it soon!!

Today, Jake started showing interest in his cookie jar that you place the shapes through.  He loves toys that make him think!  Video of him below trying to put the right piece through the right hole!


Tomorrow is Jake's 1st birthday party in Chicago!  The theme is football, of course!  Lots of pictures and videos of the day will be posted!
(Videos are dark)

Rockin' out

Trip to Indy & Addy's 3rd Birthday!

We traveled down to Indy to see Julie and Paul and Julie's baby bump!  We had such a great time hanging out with Grammy & Papa, too.  Papa found all of Ben's old toys down in the basement.  He cleaned them up and Jake had a field day playing with all the instruments, puzzles, and trains.  His favorites were the cymbals!  Throughout the weekend, he would hit them together harder and harder making the sound louder and louder!  I sure am glad we don't have cymbals at our house right now!

Jake is walking more and more using his walker.  Getting into a lot more, too!  He is hiding a lot under his high chair and behind the rocking chair to play.  He brings all his balls and some toys to his secret hiding places!

Jake also got two more teeth in on the top!  This would explain his crankiness these past weeks.  He has learned how to hug now, too, which is by far, the BEST thing in the world!  He simply lays his head on your face and snuggles!  What an angel!

Addy celebrated her 3rd birthday trying to get Bosco to play with her!  We got her lots of special puppy treats and an elk antler to chew on.

Below are a few pictures and videos from the weekend.

Papa made Jake a bunny pancake!

Chasing Addy!

 

First Signs of Walking!

Jake has really been upset with his little body lately because he wants to walk!  He stands up and just throws himself to the floor.  Now, he is finally using his walker and realizing that he can get around!  Today, he took two full steps by himself and even stood in place after he took them for a few seconds.  Below are two videos of him walking with his walker!

This weekend, Jake and I are heading to the Baby Expo event.  Last year, I went when I was just pregnant and ended up winning a Pack and Play, so I'm hoping I'm just as lucky! 

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Trick-Or-Treat

What a fabulous weekend the Butwins had!  Grammy & Papa came up to visit us!  Daddy & Papa went to the Notre Dame game while us girls plus Jake stayed home and got lots of things accomplished.  Grammy bought Jake the cutest PJs and even brought along some fun puzzles that Jake wouldn't put down.  He was actually trying to put the pieces back in the right spots!  He did lots of dancing for us and was showing off all his new voices!

After Grammy & Papa left, Jake took a nice long nap and we started getting ready for his first trick-or-treating!  It was a bit chilly, but I bundled him up.  We went with Carolyn, Chris, and Angela.  Angela was a little bumble bee.  Jake was a bit shy during the one time around the block trick-or-treating.  He would put his hand in the candy bowl to pick a piece out and then come up empty handed.  He didn't say much either, which I was surprised, especially with the amount of times a day he says BA!  Jake got a lot of good candy!

Addy being Addy

Mommy takes Jake trick-or-treating

Daddy & Jake trick-or-treating...of course he picks Skittles!